DEVOTION: Matthew 21:33-46 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Tenants
33 "Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country.34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants[a] to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:
"'The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;[b]
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."[c]
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
I gotta laugh, because it says that the chief priests and Pharisees "perceived that he was speaking about them". No duh.
At the same time, I can preach the law in a sermon to a bunch of sinners, not unlike the chief priests and Pharisees, using such words as "you" and "we", and those sitting in the pews will only "perceive" that I am talking about or to someone else, or they just aren't listening. So I can sort of sympathize with Jesus. Although sometimes Jesus is talking to me in these passages and I totally miss the message myself.
So LISTEN to the message from Jesus today! The message is simple, DON'T REJECT JESUS! Instead of pushing him aside and only looking at him from afar every once in a while, BUILD YOUR LIFE ON HIM!! Don't be like the Israelites who rejected one prophet after another over many centuries! LISTEN TO GOD'S WORD AND PERCEIVE THAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU AND TO YOU!
Let us pray: Lord, make me perceive that you are talking about me and to me in your Word so that I may truly hear you. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs-Confirmation make up 5pm; Alzheimers Support Group 1; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- HOLY YOGA 10-11; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elders noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- Jason Figura, Charlie Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; Sun- 8:30- Don Turnure; 11-
Greeters- 8:30- Ken and Marilyn Foster; 11- Al and Karen Benton
Lay Reader- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Steve McDowell, 11- Ben Hoelscher
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer; Sun, 8:30- McKenzie; 11- Rausch
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
What does the name "Malachi" mean? God's messenger (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Xerxes?
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NEWS:
500th ANNIVERSARY REFORMATION BLOW OUT CELEBRATION COMING UP SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29!!!
Sunday school- 9am
Worship- 10am
Potluck Picnic with Fried Chicken- 11:30 (Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share!)
Pitch the Keys Singing- Noon
Bounce House, Live Polka Music , Games, Fellowship, Fun--- Noon- 3pm
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! We want this to be a community event to show everyone that Lutherans are great people who have the truth of the Gospel and the peace of knowing we are saved by grace through faith on account of Christ!!!
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A NOTE FROM THE LITTLE LAMBS TEACHERS ABOUT THE PRESCHOOL ROOM
If you use the preschool area, make sure you put everything back just like you found it. If you have little kids down there, take note of where everything is and make sure it gets put back. It was not left the way it should be, and the teachers were not happy.
They are happy to let you use it, as long as you respect it and put things back where they go.
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LADIES AID VENDOR FAIR AND BAKE SALE COMING UP SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
If you would like to be a vendor or know someone who would, the cost is $20 per spot. They also need baked goods. Call 456-2888 to reserve your spot or to let them know you'll donate some baked goods.
Invite your friends and family and come on down to enjoy it!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS "Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to the interests of others." PHILIPPIANS 2:4
Whoever comes to Sunday school and tells me this verse will get a prize!
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, PLEASE TAKE ONE!
DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!! Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!
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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES. PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH AND PUT THEM IN THE TUB MARKED "BACKPACK BLESSINGS"!
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PRAYERS:
For the HUNDREDS IN LAS VEGAS who are dealing with the tragic shooting.
For LORI FELDKAMP AND KEVIN PEDERSON as they are getting married next Saturday, Oct. 7.
For LIL WINTER who is at home recovering from surgery.
For DAVID GRAYSON, BUCK HAMPTON, AND GEORGE HOELSCHER all dealing with cancer and chemo treatments.
For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature. Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good. He was born at 2 and a half pounds.
For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
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